WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
A mixture of things that makes us unique
Summit Consultants distinguishes itself from other accounting and taxation firms in several different ways.
The task of our partners is to maintain excellent relationships with existing clients and our networks of referrers, foster new relationships with prospective clients and referrers, ensure we maintain the quality, productivity and efficiency of our work and our staff, and manage Summit as a competent, effective and professional business in the same way our clients look to manage their own businesses.
Primarily serving the SME business sector, at Summit we focus on the challenges faced by its clients in the 21st century business landscape. Hence, we try to simplify how we work with clients.
Unlike traditional time charging practices, we scope out our client’s requirements and provide a fixed quote and pricing upfront for each separate engagement. This makes billing and payment easier for both the client and Summit administratively, mutually assists our businesses’ cash flows, puts the onus on us to be productive and efficient, and eliminates bill shock and fee disputes. We also offer a variety of instalment payment arrangements to suit out clients’ specific business cash flow.
The traditional accounting practice has a top down or “pyramid” structure, with partners having a large portfolio of clients and large staff support. Experience has shown that this often makes it difficult for the partners to maintain close contact with all of their clients, often delegating tasks to their accounting staff. A common complaint we hear from clients especially business owners, who come to us were dissatisfied with the level of communication from their previous accountant; both the regularity and the access to the partner in the firm.
In contrast, Summit has what we call an “inverted pyramid” model. We have three partner owners and a smaller than average ratio of clients per partner. This allows us to only take on clients who are a good fit for Summit, and enables our partners to be client focused and always accessible to our clients. Thus, we prioritize swift client communication, with a commitment to 24-hour response time to any client communications.
All of our accountants are degree qualified, most with post graduate qualifications. At Summit we have had a blend of staff working in office and from home since before COVID, providing our staff with the flexibility and desire to maintain consistent quality and efficiency. We have embraced the latest in technological innovations, utilizing cloud-based applications, AI and cutting-edge software that have improved our productivity and efficiency, and enabled us to moderate fee increases, even in the face of rising inflation. Moreover, at Summit we know our boundaries, and do not take on work in which we are not experts. To that end, we collaborate with a network of experts in financial planning, SMSF advice and audit, mortgage broking, property consulting, estate planning and legal services to provide clients with a comprehensive suite of specialized services coordinated by us.
